Wintering Well Scheme Features on BBC Radio 4
Last year, East Dunbartonshire Libraries partnered with the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to launch the Wintering Well scheme, which aimed to improve the wellbeing of library users who are impacted by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is sometimes referred to as the ‘winter blues.’
The pilot project was met with great success (even featuring in our #LoveLibraries case studies which you can read here), and as the scheme continues this winter, the project participants will be featured on BBC Radio 4’s programme Winter Well airing this week! The show is hosted by Wintering Well Co-Investigator, Professor and Chair of Human Geography at the University of Edinburgh, and Save Aberdeen Libraries Campaigner Hayden Lorimer. There are 5 episodes which will be aired on BBC Radio 4 at 1.45pm everyday (w/b 13th October) but are also able to be listened to on demand – click here to find out more.
Tara Hepburn, Library Officer; Professor Hester Parr, University of Glasgow’s Living with SAD research team; a recipient of a Wintering Well box; Professor Hayden Lorimer, Living with SAD; Karin Jackson, EDLC General Manager; and Marion Kunderan, Principal Officer at the Scottish Library and Information Council.
The project allowed users in Kirkintilloch, Lennoxtown, Milngavie and Bishopbriggs to borrow a Wintering Well Boxset which included a mini SAD light-lamp, along with the Guidebook to Wintering Well, and the opportunity to access the free to access online support programme. The project also saw the creation of multiple resources:
- Light is a Right: A Guide to Wintering Well, a creative guidebook for learning to live well in winter with written and photographic reflections from individuals who experience SAD.
- Living Life to the Full: SAD, an online course for individuals who experience Seasonal Affective Disorder developed by CBT experts at Living Life to the Full.
- Wintering Together Toolkit, a set of resources to support individuals in organising a Wintering Well group in their own local or online community
- SAD Stories Exhibition, an exhibition containing a series of stories about living with SAD based on research participant testimony, along with photographs taken by participants to share their winter experiences